Building regulations for manure basins

Do you want to build a manure basin or have it built? And do you plan to store manure? Then you must comply with the rules to prevent soil pollution. You may also need to apply for an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning) or submit a notification in advance via the online service counter Omgevingsloket.

Check if you need an environment and planning permit and apply

Go to the online service counter Omgevingsloket (in Dutch) to check if you need an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning). In the Omgevingsloket you can see which rules apply in your municipality, province, or regional water authority. You can then use the Omgevingsloket to apply online for an environment and planning permit or submit a notification.

If you want to store more than 3m3 of manure for longer than 2 weeks you need to submit a notification at least 4 weeks before you start. You can check in the Omgevingsloket if exceptions apply to your situation.

Rules for manure basins

Manure basins can be underground or above ground. They can include storage in a manure bag, a ground pit covered with foil, or a manure silo. Manure basins are subject to building regulations.

These rules cover:

• soil contamination
• odour nuisance
• release of ammonia
• safety of the construction

Preventing soil pollution

The rules for preventing damage to the soil are stated in the Environmental Activities Decree (Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving, Bal). For example:

• The basin and connection points must be leak-proof. This prevents the manure from leaking into the soil.
• The materials you use must be able to withstand the substances in the manure.
• The foil you use must be certified. You can recognise this foil by a stamp with the code MB.

Construction rules

The rules in the Decree on construction works in the living environment (Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving, Bbl) apply to manure basins. For example, the basin must be able to withstand the forces that can occur in manure storage. You also have a duty of care. This means that you must regularly check the tank and its cover. If you find any damage, you must fix it immediately.

Reducing odours

You should take measures to prevent and limit odour nuisance (in Dutch). You do this by building the basin at a minimum distance from houses. How far this minimum distance is, depends on the size of the manure basin and on the type of manure.

Covering manure basins and reducing ammonia impact

Manure storage releases the harmful substance ammonia into the air. That is why there are rules to reduce ammonia emissions. Measures you must take are:

• Cover the basins so that less ammonia can enter the air. The entire basin should be covered, but openings are allowed so that gases from the slurry can escape (venting).
• Building the manure storage at the minimum distance from Natura 2000 areas. Or other areas the province has designated as sensitive.